Priest killed by falling crucifix during sermon on fragility of life

Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was pronounced dead after being struck on the head. Photo / Facebook

A Catholic priest has died after a crucifix fell on him during a livestreamed Mass in Ecuador.

Father Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari was delivering a sermon about the fragility of life at his church in the city of Guayaquil when the wall-mounted cross came loose and struck him.

Emergency services attended the scene, but the parish priest was pronounced dead.

Video footage showed worshippers rushing towards the altar and calling for assistance after Father Sanchez Molinari was struck on his head.

“Father, Father … call an ambulance,” a member of the congregation could be heard shouting. The livestream was subsequently cut off.

The incident took place at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic church, about half an hour into Father Sanchez Molinari’s homily. He told worshippers to prioritise their spirituality over distractions such as mobile phones.

He said: “One day, all of us here will also die, and sometimes the time we’ve spent on things doesn’t have as much meaning as the time we spend with God. The quality time we give to God, to our brothers and sisters, to our husbands, wives, children, and family – that time is the best spent.”

Father Sanchez Molinari asked God to bless the congregation and had started another prayer when the large crucifix fell off the wall behind him.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest’s death in a statement, saying: “We announce that our beloved Father Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari, who served as parish priest of the Perpetual Help church in the Central Vicariate, has departed to the Father’s House to enjoy His presence and His glory.”

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